Beach Vibes - by Susan Mallery

Beach Vibes by Susan Mallery is such a warm, feel-good read! The characters feel real, the family dynamics are touching, and the Malibu setting makes it even better. It’s the perfect mix of heart, humor, and romance—you won’t want to put it down!

After an unwanted divorce, Beth finds herself lost and without any friends. She vows to herself to make changes and she does. She finds a new friend. She even has a new boyfriend. Then the unthinkable happens and she has to decide - who is more important, friends or family? This one is definitely a page turner.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick easy read. I really like the characters and how things developed. I liked the story line of Rick, Beth’s brother. Sadly we all know someone like him. The book did a great job of exploring true friendship. Everyone needs their “ride or die” friend. Enjoy the book!

Mallery once again takes the reader on a wonderful journey through relationships. We all have childhoods, hopefully, most of it is good, but sometimes the bad can carry over into your adult relationships. Beth had a troubled mother, and a brilliant brother. How she dealt with those relationships, worked their way into how she dealt with people as an adult. Even though this theme might seem dark, she had wonderful friends who help her navigate relationships as an adult. I love the supporting characters that Mallery creates to help tell the story. She always makes me want to meet these characters. Beach Vibes is an easy read set on the beach. And as she often does, provides a bonus recipe to try out.

I was not a big fan of this book. The main character was not someone I related to, and I did not care for the resolution of some of the relationships at the end. Not one of my favorites.

I love Susan Mallery’s books! Usually I dive right in and savor the story and don’t want the book to end! Beach Vibes took me a little longer to get into. I immediately disliked Rick. And I wasn’t a huge fan of Beth at first. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it for Beth. I really liked Jana and Teddy though! After awhile, Beth grew on me, she redeemed herself. Rick never did. I am an only child so I am not sure how I would react if I caught my only sibling cheating on one of my close friends. I think most people would react how Beth did, sticking up for her brother, but also fighting with herself on that decision. I liked that Beth was able to realize and admit her mistakes and grow as the book progressed. She definitely grew on me! I really liked the secondary characters in this book Agatha was a secondary character (Beth’s aunt) but I really liked her! She was funny and supportive but she also was honest and helped to guide Beth as she was struggling with coming to terms with her life after divorce and with seeing how Rick really was. Kai was one of Beth’s employees at the sun shop, but was wise beyond his years. He was a grata listener and very supportive of Beth. Dex seemed to be the perfect guy and Jana and Beth both over looked him! He was always there. Great with kids and helping everyone. I would actually love another book with these 3 characters! I love that Susan Mallery’s writing focuses on friendships and family, with finding love as the secondary story.

I am always excited to read Susan Mallery's new books, but this time I came away a little disappointed. It is mostly family drama involving two friends who end up dating each others brother until one of them, Beth, finds out that her brother is cheating on her friend Jana. She doesn't know whether to tell Jana or not, because it will likely end her relationship with Jana's brother. It was an easy read, but not terribly engrossing.

Susan Mallery has always been one of my favorite authors, and Beach Vibes is another great example of why. She has a way of making her characters feel real and relatable, pulling you into their lives in such a natural way. This story follows Beth and Jana, two women who meet while volunteering and quickly become friends. Things take an unexpected turn when they realize Jana is dating Beth’s brother, Rick—something they only find out through a super awkward encounter. As their friendship grows, Beth is introduced to Jana’s brother, Teddy, and the two instantly click. I absolutely loved the connection between Beth and Teddy—it felt so real and full of warmth. On the other hand, Rick and Jana’s relationship felt kind of off. Rick just seemed really distant and awkward, and I wasn’t sure what Jana saw in him. One thing I really liked about this book was how both Beth and Jana were working toward something better for themselves. Jana is a young, single mom chasing her dreams, and Beth is finally thriving despite her tough past. My only complaint is that I wanted more—more of Beth and Teddy’s love story, and more about Jana’s unexpected romance at the end. The ending felt a little too rushed for me, and I wished we got to see those relationships develop a bit more. This book was an enjoyable read for me. It had friendship, love, and personal growth combined. That alone felt like a connection for me. I just wish it hadn't ended so quickly.

Susan Mallery books are so on point. She always delivers Beth had my heart when she saw the billboard proposal from her ex to his new love and she ran her car over the curb gawking. Then realizing you lose the “friends” in that relationship because they pick the other side is so real. I have been asked to take a side in divorce and it’s not a fair question to ask anyone. Finding a friend in Jana was a blessing Beth needed and vice versa. Jana was someone Beth could balance out your life with. Someone to share with. When Jana met Beth’s brother Rick, it sounded like it might be a nice coincidence for them; then Beth met Jana’s brother and sparks flew! As these relationships grew and overlapped, I got more excited except I was sure Jana was going to end her dating with Rick because she had doubts about him regularly. I didn’t cry until the last few chapters. My heart was breaking with Beth and Jana. Please read this book to the last page; you’ll be glad you did.

I was conflicted at first with this book. We already knew what was going to happen and seeing everything so perfect and knowing it wasn't, kind of threw me off. Then, the magic that is Susan Mallery's story telling took over and I was reading, enjoying, and letting the story unfold. Some one-line truths I felt about Beach Vibes: Sometimes people aren't the fabulous persona they present to the world. Family members can give way to much support and leeway to those they love. Keeping secrets from each other will probably turn out badly for relationships. Empathy and forgiveness are paramount. Knowing there will be a happily ever after makes me happy! All women 'of a certain age' should be like Aunt Agatha. P.S. I'm of a certain age!! The one negative for me was the title. There was some beach time and a surfer/sandwich maker, but the title makes you think there was going to be a lot more beach.

This is a book that is centered around family / friend drama and romance. I thought by the title that it would be a good beach read, but I did not feel transported to the beach while reading it at all. It centers around Beth who owns a sandwich shop, her brother Rick who is a doctor, Jana who becomes friends with Beth, and Jana's brother Teddy. Relationships develop between Beth and Teddy and also between Jana and Rick. I enjoyed the main characters, (even if I could not stand Rick), a lot of the secondary characters, and the story lines. It was a thought-provoking story due to the fact that Rick is a narcissistic jerk and the fact that he cheats without any remorse whatsoever and does not care how it affects the women. However, Beth discovers her brother cheating and does not know how to handle the situation as she has always been protective of him. Should she keep it a secret or inform Jana? He is a grown man now and no longer needs her protection. I am not sure how I would have handled it either, but I think I would have done the opposite of what Beth did. I did enjoy the romance between Beth and Teddy. One of the more profound lines in the book for me is when Beth said “I deserve people who love me and support me in my life. If he's not going to be that, then I'm better off with him gone.” Bingo! Sometimes you just have to cut toxic people out of your life, even if they are family members/relatives. I enjoyed the way the story lines unfolded and the endings too. Overall, it was a story that deals with family, friendship, romantic relationships, betrayal and heartbreak, and love. It was an enjoyable read for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Susan Mallery for review purposes. This did not sway my opinion in any way.

This is another great book by Susan Mallery. Though the beginning was a little slow it really picked up and was definitely worth reading! It had secrets, betrayals, and loyalty to family! Do you stay loyal to your brother and keep a secret from your friend? It really made you think what you would do if you were faced with this dilemma! It was so hard to put down and I didn't want the story to end! I highly recommend reading this book!

How far would you go for a sibling? Are you willing to lie and destroy a best friendship because you discovered something about them? This is a story about 2 pairs of sibling a brother and sister in each pair. They will find each find love, one will discover something about their sibling that could hurt someone, there will be hate, a friendship will almost end and there will be love once again. I loved this book was hoping that both Beth and Jana would find happiness. This is a perfect book to read at the beach or the pool this summer.

Susan Mallery has done it again! Another great book. So proud of Beth for standing her ground with her brother after finding out what a jerk he is. Great read could not put it down.

Beth and Jana are forging a new friendship. Jana is dating Beth’s brother. Beth is dating Jana’s brother. When it all goes wrong, why would you destroy everything because someone didn’t tell you something that you wouldn’t have told yourself? It’s not their story to tell. Another fantastic book that shows love as it is instead of how it should be. Thank the gods for happy endings.

Beth and her brother Rick are both successful, and Beth is very protective of her brother. Their mother was a free spirit and risk taker, so growing up, they took care of each other, with Beth doing most of the heavy lifting. As adults, Beth still does things for her brother, and he lets her. Beth finds out things about her brother, and he is not who she thinks he is. Beth meets Jana when they both do volunteer work, and they become friends. Jana and her brother Teddy are extremely close, and they are always there for each other. This story is a faced paced, enjoyable read with characters who have a lot of dimensions, and I highly recommend it!

Susan Mallory hit another one out of the park!! It has it all...love, friendship, trust, loyalty! What would you do if you had to pick between your best friend and your brother? It really makes you look inside yourself on what choices you would pick if you were in the situation Beth was in. This is a MUST read!! So stop reading this and go get it!